Patent Application
20250185769
The present invention relates generally to portable enclosures for an individual and, more particularly, relates to a portable enclosure that is composed of panels, collapsible, and capable of shielding individuals from wind and.
Many individuals need or desire to increase their vitamin D production, as vitamin D deficiency has numerous deleterious effects on an individual's health. Vitamin D production can be primarily accomplished through food and vitamin supplement consumption or through ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. Food and vitamin supplements have their well-known inefficiencies and too much exposure to the sun has adverse health effects. Regardless, UV exposure from the sun is generally thought of to be the best means to generate vitamin D production. However, in many climates, the ambient outside temperature and elements prevent or inhibit individuals from being able to obtain UV exposure from the sun. In addition to the vitamin D generation, many users also desire to expose themselves to the sun in a convenient and comfortable manner.
Some known devices enable a user to be exposed to the sun, but said devices are cumbersome to travel with, are expensive, and time-intensive to assemble and retract in a storage or transportation configuration. Many known devices are also impracticable to utilize in the environmental elements and do not effectively shield and insulate the user from said elements or the lower outside temperatures (e.g., less than 70° F.). Those known devices also fail to enable the device from easily switching from a device that allows UV exposure to a device that does not allow UV exposure.
Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.
The invention provides a portable sunbathing enclosure that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that is shaped and sized to receive an individual, shelter said individual from the outside elements and lower temperatures, and enable quick and effective assembly and disassembly. While the enclosure may completely encapsulate the individual, it is also within the scope of the invention to shield the individual around his or her sides and have an opening on the enclosure to permit entry of UV light exposure.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a portable sunbathing enclosure a portable sunbathing enclosure that includes an enclosure body having a plurality of slender frame members coupled together and operably configured to form a statically fixed upright structure defining a right side, defining a left side opposing the left side, defining a rear end, and defining a front end opposing the rear end and having a fabric material coupled to the plurality of slender frame members to define a right wall at the right side and with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the right wall, a left wall at the left side and with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the left wall, a rear wall at the rear end and with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the rear wall, a front wall at the front end and with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the front wall, a bottom wall interposed between the right wall and left wall, interposed between the rear wall and the front wall, and with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the bottom wall, wherein the inner surfaces of the right wall, left wall, rear wall, front wall, and bottom wall are light reflective and enclose and define a sunbathing cavity. The enclosure also defines an upper opening disposed to provide ambient access to the sunbathing cavity and a cover selectively removably coupled to the enclosure body, configured to cover the upper opening, and of a transparent material.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the plurality of slender frame members are made of a flexible material operably configured to be placed in a bent and overlapping configuration.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the statically fixed upright structure includes the right wall and the left wall in a substantially parallel configuration with one another and the rear wall and the front wall disposed in a substantially parallel configuration with one another.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the cover is operably configured to selectively removably couple to the fabric material around a perimeter of the upper opening with an upper zipper assembly.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a first coupling strip coupled to the fabric material proximal to the upper opening and a second coupling strip coupled to the cover and configured to couple with the first coupling strip in a hook-and-loop configuration.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the cover is of a UPF 50 material and the cover is of clear material and wherein the enclosure also includes a secondary cover selectively removably couplable to the enclosure body, configured to cover the upper opening, of a tinted material, having a coupling strip coupled thereto and configured to couple with the first coupling strip in the hook-and-loop configuration, and operably configured to selectively removably couple to the fabric material around a perimeter of the upper opening with an upper zipper assembly.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the enclosure body having a plurality of loops coupled to and extending outwardly away from the enclosure body and disposed proximal to the bottom wall.
In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes a selectively removable portion of the right wall operably configured to define a right wall opening disposed to provide ambient access to the sunbathing cavity, a selectively removable portion of the left wall operably configured to define a left wall opening disposed to provide ambient access to the sunbathing cavity, and a selectively removable portion of the front wall operably configured to define a front wall opening disposed to provide ambient access to the sunbathing cavity.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the selectively removable portions of the right wall, left wall, and front wall are each operably configured to selectively removably couple to the fabric material around a perimeter of the respective right wall opening, the left wall opening, and the front wall opening with a right zipper assembly, a left zipper assembly, and a front zipper assembly, respectively.
In accordance with an additional feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the enclosure body having at least one cover retaining loop coupled to the inside surface of at least one of the right wall, the left wall, the rear wall, and the front wall and disposed proximal to the upper opening.
In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the enclosure body having at least one pocket coupled to the inside surface of at least one of the right wall, the left wall, the rear wall, and the front wall.
In accordance with a further feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes an enclosure body length separating the rear and front walls and an enclosure body width separating the right and left walls, at least one right slender enclosing frame member enclosing an open area, disposed proximal to the right side, and substantially spanning the enclosure body length, at least one left slender enclosing frame member enclosing an open area, disposed proximal to the left side, and substantially spanning the enclosure body length, at least one rear slender enclosing frame member enclosing an open area, disposed proximal to the rear side, and substantially spanning the enclosure body width, and at least one front slender enclosing frame member enclosing an open area, disposed proximal to the front side, and substantially spanning the enclosure body width, wherein the at least one rear and front enclosing frame members interpose and directly couple with the at least one right and left slender enclosing frame members.
Also in accordance with the present invention, a portable sunbathing enclosure is disclosed that includes an enclosure body operably configured to form a statically fixed upright structure that has at least one right slender enclosing frame member enclosing an open area, disposed proximal to a right side of the enclosure body, and substantially spanning the enclosure body length, has at least one left slender enclosing frame member enclosing an open area, disposed proximal to a left side of the enclosure body opposing the right side of the enclosure body, has at least one rear slender enclosing frame member enclosing an open area, disposed proximal to a rear side of the enclosure body, has at least one front slender enclosing frame member enclosing an open area, disposed proximal to a front side of the enclosure body opposing the rear side of the enclosure body, and substantially spanning the enclosure body width, wherein the at least one rear and front enclosing frame members interpose and directly couple with the at least one right and left slender enclosing frame members, and has a fabric material coupled to the at least one right, left, rear, and front enclosing frame members. The fabric material defines a right wall at the right side and with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the right wall, a left wall at the left side and with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the left wall, a rear wall at the rear end and with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the rear wall, a front wall at the front end and with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the front wall, and a bottom wall interposed between the right wall and left wall, interposed between the rear wall and front wall, and with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the bottom wall, wherein the inner surfaces of the right wall, left wall, rear wall, front wall, and bottom wall are opaque, light reflective, and enclose and define a sunbathing cavity. The enclosure also defines an upper opening disposed to provide ambient access to the sunbathing cavity.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the enclosure body further defines an enclosure body length separating the rear and front walls and an enclosure body width separating the right and left walls, the at least one right slender enclosing frame member substantially spanning the enclosure body length, the at least one left slender enclosing frame member substantially spanning the enclosure body length, the at least one rear slender enclosing frame member substantially spanning the enclosure body width, and the at least one front slender enclosing frame member substantially spanning the enclosure body width.
In accordance with a further feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes a cover selectively removably coupled to the enclosure body, configured to cover the upper opening, and of a transparent material. In some embodiments, the cover is operably configured to selectively removably couple to the fabric material around a perimeter of the upper opening with an upper zipper assembly.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a portable sunbathing enclosure, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.
Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.
Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. Also, for purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof relate to the invention as oriented in the figures and is not to be construed as limiting any feature to be a particular orientation, as said orientation may be changed based on the user's perspective of the device. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the enclosure, or to and from the rear and front walls of the enclosure.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.
The present invention provides a novel and efficient portable sunbathing enclosure that is operably configured to be portable, house, and shelter an individual from colder ambient environments while exposing the user to sunlight. Embodiments of the invention enable the enclosure to effective and efficiently assemble and disassemble and generate heat within the enclosure. Said differently, the enclosure is capable of being carried by a user without extra auxiliary equipment or help and/or capable of being placed in retracted configuration and extended configuration.
Referring now to
The plurality of slender frame members 300a-n are preferably of a flexible material capable of repeated bending without plastic deformation or ultimate failure. The frame members 300a-n may also have a cylindrical or other oblong shape and may be formed as a rod or have an elongated configuration that has an inherent material property to remain in said rod or elongated configuration. Said another way, the frame members 300a-n may be capable of bending into a circular shape without deformation and have an inherent or static resiliency to remain in said elongated or vertical configuration. The frame members 300a-n have a length greater than their minimum or average diameter, i.e., they are slender. To that end, the frame members 300a-n may be made of a fiberglass material, a graphite material, a metallic composite material, a carbon fiber material, or some variation or combination of the same.
The frame members 300a-n may be coupled together with one or more elbows, adhesive, fastener(s), welding, etc., and are operably configured to form a statically fixed upright structure defining a right side 104, defining a left side 106 opposing the right side 104, defining a rear end 108, and defining a front end 110 opposing the rear end 108, as exemplified in
The enclosure 100 also beneficially includes a flexible fabric material 112 coupled to the plurality of slender frame members 300a-n to define a right wall 124 at the right side 104 and with an inner surface (e.g., 132) and an outer surface (e.g., 702) opposing the inner surface 132 of the right wall 124. The flexible fabric material 112 also defines a left wall 126 at the left side 106 and with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the left wall 126, a rear wall 128 at the rear end 108 and with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the rear wall 108, a front wall 130 at the front end 110 and with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the front wall 110, and a bottom wall 204 interposed between the right wall 124 and left wall 126, interposed between the rear wall 128 and the front wall 130, and with an inner surface and an outer surface opposing the inner surface of the bottom wall. The inner surfaces of the right wall, left wall, rear wall, front wall, and bottom wall are light reflective and enclose and define a sunbathing cavity 200 where the user rests. The inner surfaces (or walls that define them) are preferably opaque and reflect UV. The flexible fabric material may be spun bond or non-woven polymeric material such as PVC, vinyl, or polypropylene and may also have a metallic or shiny coating or surface that reflects UV and/or heat.
The enclosure body 102 can be seen defining an upper opening 114 disposed to provide ambient access to the sunbathing cavity 200 for the user, wherein said upper opening 114 may span substantially the entire length 600 (seen in
More specifically and with reference to
With reference to
When the frame members 300a-n are placed in the statically fixed upright structure configuration, the right wall 124 and the left wall 126 are oriented in a substantially parallel configuration with one another (+/−15°) and the rear wall 128 and the front wall 130 are oriented and disposed in a substantially parallel configuration with one another (+/−15°), e.g., forming an oblong rectangular structure.
In one embodiment, the cover 202 is operably configured to selectively removably couple to the fabric material 112 around a perimeter of the upper opening 114 with an upper zipper assembly 302. More specifically, the cover 202 may include one side attached to the fabric material 112 such that the cover is hingedly coupled to the fabric 112 (e.g., with hook-and-loop, fastener(s), etc.) and with other sides that can be coupled to the fabric material 112 to enclose the upper opening 114 and using a zipper accessible by the user (preferably from both inside and outside of the sunbathing cavity 200). To enable quick and effective removable and placement of the cover 202, the enclosure body 102 includes a first coupling strip 116 coupled to the fabric material 112 proximal to the upper opening 114 and a second coupling strip 304 coupled to the cover 202 and configured to couple with the first coupling strip 116 in a hook-and-loop configuration. The first and second coupling strips 116, 304 may substantially span or extend the body length 600. In some embodiments, the zipper assemblies utilized on the enclosure are substantially watertight, preventing or inhibiting water or other liquids in the ambient environment from entering the sunbathing cavity 200.
In one embodiment, the cover 202 is completely or substantially (greater than 90% of the surface area) of a UPF 50 material. More specifically, ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) indicates how much UV radiation (both UVB and UVA) a fabric allows to reach your skin. For example, a UPF 50 fabric blocks 98 percent of the sun's rays and allows two percent (1/50th) to penetrate, thus reducing your exposure risk significantly, i.e., the user is exposed to UV, but not to the extent that could be harmful. The cover 202 may be configured to be completely or substantially of a clear material (that doesn't completely block UV). Furthermore, the enclosure 100 may also include a secondary cover 306 selectively removably couplable to the enclosure body 102, configured to cover the upper opening 114, be of a tinted material, i.e., blocking greater than 50% of visible light and UV. This gives the user versatility to quickly couple the desired cover to the enclosure body 102. The secondary cover 306 may also have a coupling strip 308 coupled thereto and that is configured to couple with the first coupling strip 116 in the hook-and-loop configuration. The secondary cover 306 is operably configured to selectively removably couple to the fabric material 112 around a perimeter of the upper opening 114 with an upper zipper assembly 310, i.e., around the perimeter where the tracks for the zipper are located. Thus, the user can quickly and effectively couple a cover to the enclosure body 102 on one side with the hook-and-loop material and use the zipper assembly for the remainder of the perimeter.
In one embodiment and with reference to
In one embodiment, the portable sunbathing enclosure also includes a selectively removable portion 312 of the right wall operably configured to define a right wall opening 314 disposed to provide ambient access to the sunbathing cavity 200, a selectively removable portion 316 of the left wall operably configured to define a left wall opening 318 disposed to provide ambient access to the sunbathing cavity 200, and a selectively removable portion 320 of the front wall operably configured to define a front wall opening 322 disposed to provide ambient access to the sunbathing cavity 200. The openings may also span the respective length 600, heights 602, 604, and/or width 700 of the enclosure body 102. The selectively removable portions 312, 316, 320 of the right wall, left wall, and front wall, respectively, are each operably configured to selectively removably couple to the fabric material 112 around a perimeter of the respective right wall opening 314, the left wall opening 318, and the front wall opening with a right zipper assembly 324, a left zipper assembly 326, and a front zipper assembly 328, respectively. Said another way, each of the selectively removable portions 312, 316, 320 are completely or partially couplable to the fabric material 112 with a zipper assembly.
The enclosure body 102 also beneficially includes at least one cover retaining loop 118 coupled to the inside surface of at least one of the right wall, the left wall, the rear wall, and the front wall and disposed proximal to the upper opening 114 (i.e., using the definition for proximal above). In preferred embodiments, the one or more retaining loops may extend into the cavity 200 and from the upper edge 120. The enclosure body 102 also beneficially includes at least one pocket 122 coupled to the inside surface of at least one of the right wall, the left wall, the rear wall, and the front wall for the user to place one or more personal items (e.g., cellphone). Thus, when desired for use, the user will expand the enclosure body 102 as exemplified and depicted in
Although a specific order of executing assembly, disassembly, or utilization of the enclosure have been described or depicted, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more steps shown or described as occurring in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all of the process steps can be combined into a single process.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above-described features.
